Mantel



(No Model.)

A. J. PAIR. MANTEL.

No. 595,052. Patented Dec. 7,1897.

nrrr ra'rns PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREIV J. FAIR, OF WALNUT COVE, NORTH CAROLINA.

ANTEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,052, dated December '7, 1897. Application filed February 8, 1897. Serial No. 622,560. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it 71m concern.-

Be it known that 1, ANDREW J. FAIR, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Valnut Cove, in the county of Stokes, State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mantels, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in mantels; and it has for its object, among others, to provide a mantel which shall be capable of serving a useful purpose in addition to its ordinary function as an ornament.

It is a well-known fact that a mantel is a eatehall for all sorts of things, which render it untidy in appearance. This is because of the fact that there is no receptacle handy into which the articles can be placed where they will not only be out of the way, but protected from the dust and dirt which naturally accumulate about the mantel. I pro vide the mantel with a drawer or a number of drawers, which add to the appearance of the mantel, and in addition to these drawers I provide a secret chamber or receptacle where valuables may be placed where they will be beyond the reach of burglars or other maliciously-inclined persons. I may further provide a secret box or receptacle that shall be locked against opening until one of the drawers is entirely pulled out, when the locking mechanism is released.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof will be specifically defined by the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved mantel with a portion broken away and parts in section. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective detail, on a larger scale, of the locking-bolt and its spring removed.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the different views.

Referring now to the details of the drawingsbyletter, A designates the mantel,which may be of any preferred design, in this instance shown as of that class known as cabinet mantels.

B are the vertical pillars or supports, and O the projecting ledge or shelf. Beneath this shelf or ledge is a sliding drawer D, which may be of any desired length and adapted to slide in the space E and is supported upon the horizontal support F.

Upon each side of the mantel are the secret compartments G, arranged to slide within the space H, provided in the vertical pillars or supports, as shown. These compartments or sliding boxes may be of any desired outward configuration, being designed to have the appearance of ornaments only. They are locked in the following manner: At the right of Fig. l I have shown a portion broken away in order to show the construction and arrangement of the locking means. The device at the opposite side is the same. A description of but one therefore is necessary.

I is a bolt arranged to slide in the vertical walls or partitions J and J between the drawer G and the drawer D, as seen clearly in Fig. 1. It is arranged near the front of the mantel, as indicated in Fig. 2, so that the drawer D must be drawn almost, if not e11- tirely, out. This bolt has a beveled end, as seen at i in Fig. 3. Its other end is adapted to engage an opening in the adjacent side of the sliding box G, as shown in Fig. 1. Around thisbolt is a spring K, which engages a stop or pin 7t thereon, as seen best in Fig. 3. The tendency of this spring is to force the bolt toward the drawer D. The bolt is arranged with the bevel toward the front of the mantel.

The operation will be readily understood. While the drawer D is in, so that the end of the bolt will engage the side wall thereof, the bolt will be held in the opening in the side of the box G, as seen in Fig. 1, and the box cannot be withdrawn. It should be made to fit tightly against the adjacent portion of the pillar, so as to guard against any disclosure of the fact that this part is designed to be withdrawn. \Vhen it is desired to remove the box G, the drawer D is withdrawn entirely or to such an extent that the rear end thereof will pass the bolt, when the spring will force the bolt to the space occupied by the drawer and withdraw its other end from the opening in the side wall of the box G,

' groove in when the latter will be free to be pulled out wholly or in part, as may be desired. The spring holds the bolt in this position. After the box G is replaced the drawer D is pushed in, and as it moves inward the beveled end of the bolt will be engaged thereby and the bolt forced outward and its outer end engaged in the opening in the side wall of the box G and the latter again locked against removal.

L is the upper shelf. Beneath the same are the drawers M, of any desired number. They are mounted to slide above the horizontal plate or portion N,which is arranged at a distance below the shelf considerably greater than the height of the drawer, as seen best in Fig. 2, so as to leave a space 0 above the top of the drawer.

P is a board or plate extending the whole length of the space within which the drawers are arranged. Its rear edge is beveled, as seen at 19, and engages in a correspondingly-shaped' the rear wall of the mantel, as seen in Fig. 2. Its front edge is designed to be supported upon one or more of the drawers, the construction being such that the board P cannot be removed until all of the drawers are removed. The board P is provided at its front edge with the ledge P, which prevents articles slipping from oif the board when the board is tilted downwardly to remove it from the mantel. "When it is desired to place articles upon the board, they are laid thereon while the board is in an inclined position and the board raised by hand while one or more of the drawers are being inserted. As soon as the drawer is placed in position the board will be supported thereon, so that the other drawers may be slid in place beneath the be seen that I provide a board. It will thus vention or sacrificing any secret compartment above the drawers which will not be disclosed by the withdrawal of any one or more of the drawers.

Modifications in detail may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the inof its advantages. What is claimed as new is- 1. The combination with a mantel having a sliding drawer, of a removable portion forming a secret compartment, and means operated by the drawer for locking the compartment in position until the drawer is removed, substantially as specified.

2. The combination with the mantel and a sliding drawer, of a sliding receptacle located parallel therewith, a spring actuated bolt mounted to slide between the drawer and receptacle and to engage said drawer to automatically lock the receptacle until the drawer is withdrawn, substantially as specified.

3. The combination with a mantel and a series of sliding drawers, of a board above said drawers supported and held in position thereby and prevented from removal until all of the drawers are removed, substantially as specified.

4. The combination with a mantel and a series of sliding drawers therein, of a board adapted to be supported by said drawers and having its rear edge beveled and fitted in a corresponding groove in the rear wall, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ANDREW J. FAIR.

Witnesses:

FRANK L. NORVELL, IsAAc H. NELsoN. 

